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Nightwing #126 continues to prove why the current creative team is one of the most exciting in DC Comics right now. With Dan Watters on writing duties, Francesco Francavilla handling art and colors, and Wes Abbott on letters, this issue brings a masterful blend of mood, mystery, and character development that makes it a standout entry in Nightwing’s ongoing saga.
Nightwing #126 – DC Comics
Creative Team: Dan Watters (Writer), Francesco Francavilla, (Art and Colors), Wes Abbott (Letters)
The Writing:
At the core of Nightwing #126 is a chilling question: has Blüdhaven’s first corrupt cop truly returned from the grave to punish today’s crooked officers, or is a more calculated conspiracy unfolding inside Commissioner Maggie Sawyer’s own department? The answer remains elusive, but the journey to uncover it is intensely gripping.
Dan Watters continues to explore the human cost of policing and corruption, not just through Nightwing’s lens, but by expanding the focus to Maggie Sawyer. The writing is packed with emotional nuance and meaningful silences. Dialogue is used sparingly but effectively, allowing the visual storytelling to breathe. Watters understands the rhythm of comics, letting moments land without overwriting the page.
Maggie’s backstory and her relationship with Kate Kane add a deeply personal layer to the issue. Her struggle to juggle her duties with the emotional gravity of meeting Kate’s child for the first time humanizes her, even as the larger mystery looms overhead. Watters excels at grounding this procedural noir in real, relatable emotional stakes.
The callbacks and thematic echoes from the beginning of the issue to the end create a satisfying narrative loop. It’s the kind of storytelling that rewards close reading, connecting seemingly small moments into larger emotional payoffs.
Check Out Nightwing #125 Review Here
Art, Colors, Letters and Layouts:
Francesco Francavilla’s art and colors are nothing short of stunning. His signature noir aesthetic wraps Blüdhaven in shadows and smoke, giving the city a palpable texture of menace and decay. The visual storytelling does a lot of heavy lifting in this issue, with body language, lighting, and environment adding as much to the plot as the dialogue itself.
Francavilla’s use of color is particularly noteworthy. Amid the murky shadows and washed-out cityscapes, he inserts bold pops of color—like Nightwing’s electric blue mask or Maggie’s vibrant hair—that guide the eye and highlight key emotional beats. The color yellow, often associated with urgency and caution, appears with just enough frequency to heighten the sense of unease that permeates the issue.
The panel layout is clean and cinematic, with Francavilla expertly guiding the reader through each scene. His action sequences don’t rely on flashy spectacle, but instead focus on atmosphere and consequence—each punch feels grounded and impactful.
Final Thoughts
Nightwing #126 is a near-perfect example of what a creative team in sync can achieve. It’s a comic that respects its readers, offering layered storytelling, complex characters, and beautiful art that invites multiple reads. Whether you’re here for the detective mystery, the emotional arcs, or the noir atmosphere, this issue delivers on all fronts.
Overall Grade: 9/10
Thanks for checking out my review for the NI Comics Bullpen. Let me know what you thought of this latest issue in the comments below and hit me up on any social media platform here! Till next time…
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